Internationally recognized as one of the major contributions to 20th century thought, the work of Claude Levi-Strauss has influenced generations of researchers in various fields of study. Examinations of his theses are at the heart of many a theoretical debate.But the author of Tristes Tropiques has remained discreet about his personal life and his intellectual path. The publication of his interviews with Didier Eribon was hailed by critics as a major event.In this work, Levi-Strauss discusses how his research originated, developed and was proven correct. He also explains "structuralism" and the misunderstandings which surround it, a commentary on his oeuvre that grants the general audience access to his work, its significance and consequences.

An ethnologist and anthropologist, Claude Levi-Strauss is the author of a considerable number of works, including Les Structures elementaires de la parente (1949), Tristes Tropiques (1955) and the Mythologiques series.

Didier Eribon is the author of the first biography of Michel Foucault (1989), Michel Foucault et ses contemporains (1994) and Faut-il bruler Dumezil?